Data normalizing method and system

ABSTRACT

Raw numerical output data representing the value of a selected function or parameter which varies according to a known relationship with one or more control functions or parameters is monitored and its measured value is normalized to determined the value, i.e., normalized value of the date under preselected standard conditions at which the control parameters have predetermined standard or nominal values. Signals representing the values of the control parameters are produced and converted to correction factor signals representing the deviations, if any, between the monitored and standard values of the control parameters, and the correction factor signals are combined with a signal representing the measured value of the raw output data to obtain a normalized data signal representing the normalized value of the output data. The data normalizing operation may occur in a test mode which provides a readout representing the normalized data value, in a monitoring mode which provides a display representing the raw and normalized data values, the monitored control parameter values, and the parameter correction factor values or furnishes these values to a computer for further processing or to a data bank for storage, or in an adaptive mode which provides error or feedback signals for regulating the control parameters to maintain the latter precisely at or within a given range about their standard or nominal values.

United States Patent 1191 Cornyn, Jr. et a1.

[ 1 Dec. 18, 1973 DATA NORMALHZING METHOD AND SYSTEM [75] Inventors;William S. Cornyn, .lr., Palos Verdes, Calif; Stephen A. Dier, Fraser;Robert M. Lynas, Birmingham, both of Mich.

[7'3] Assignee: TRW lnc., Redondo Beach, Calif. [22] Filed: June 28,1971 [21] Appl. No.: 157,095

[52] US. Cl ..235/l51.3, 73/168, 235/l51.1,

235/151.34, 324/71 R, 417/63 51 1m.c1. ..G06g7/48,G06g 7/57 [58]FieldofSearch 73/168, 3, 194E;

235/l51.1,15 1.12,151.13,l5l.3,151.34,151.35, 151.3; 324/71 R, 71 SC,'71SN, 73 AT;417/63 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Pemberton, T. 1. How to Compensatefor Valve-- Process Mismatch." In Control Engineering. 16(9): p. 81-85.September, 1969. J

Primary Examiner-Felix D. Gruber Assistant ExaminerR. Stephen Dildine,Jr. Att0rneyDaniel T. Anderson et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT Raw numerical output data representing'the value of aselected function or parameter which varies according to a knownrelationship with one or more control functions or parameters ismonitored and its measured value is normalized to determined the value,i.e., normalized value of the date under preselected standard conditionsat which the control parameters have predetermined standard or nominalvalues. Signals representing the values of the control parameters areproduced and converted to correction factor signals representing thedeviations, if any, between the monitored and standard values of thecontrol parameters, and the-correction factor signals are combined witha signal representing the measuredvalue of the raw output data to obtaina normalized data signal representing the normalized value of the outputdata. The data normalizing operation may occur in a test mode whichprovides a readout representing the normalized data value, 'in amonitoring mode which provides a display representing the raw andnormalized data values, the monitored control parameter values, and theparameter correction factor values or furnishes these values to acomputer for further processing or to a data bank for storage, or in anadaptive mode which provides 18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures p |8P 2 1 1 PSENSOR SIGNAL oyqoggq CA I CONVERT CORRECTION 1217 I P SENSOR SIGNAL c n1r oge o ca I CONVERT CORRECTlON 1 REG 28 247 26 L IBP) 2o 2 2 SlGNAL Jl6 LAMONITQRJEQ cc I SENSOR 'M/CONVERT HADDER/ CORRECTION i 1''! I 26 Eeta J24 '1 P SENSOR SlGNAL MQNlT911EP CD I CONVERT LCORRECTION 2a 24[[29 NORMALIZ/ED /20 D SENSOR RAW DATA NORMALIZING I METHOD AND SYSTEMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates generally to the field of data processing and more particularlyto a novel data normalizing method and system for normalizing rawnumerical output data to preselected standard conditions.

2. Prior Art 1 A variety of data gathering applications exist whichinvolve monitoring raw numerical output data whose value varies with oneor more control parameters and must be determined under predeterminedstandard conditions at which each control parameter has a predeterminedvalue. One such application, for example, involves testing of rotaryhydraulic steering pumps for automotive vehicles.

Hydraulic steering pumps are required to meet very rigid standards inorder to insure their reliableoperation in automotive vehicles; For thisreason, such pumps are subjected to various qualification tests. One ofthese tests involvesmeasurement of the pump flow rate. Since flow ratevaries with certain control parameters, namely hydraulicfluidtemperature, back pressure, and pump rotor speed, it is necessary tocorrelate the pump'flow rate measurement with the control parameters inorder to obtain the flow rate measurement at known parameter values.

At the present time, this correlation is accomplished by regulating thecontrol parameters during the low rate measurement to maintain eachcontrol parameter constant at a predetermined standard test value. Tothis end, the existing steering'pump qualification tests are performedwith the aid of a test panel to which each pump is connected duringtest. This panel has means 'for operating the pump at the proper backpressure,

fluid temperature, and rotor speed and measuring the flow rate at thesestandard test conditions.

While this method of testing steering pumps provides satisfactory testdata, it 'has certain disadvantages which the present inventionovercomes. Thus, the test procedure requires a precision test panelwhich is capable of precision regulation of the test control parameters,i.e., fluid temperature, pump back pressure, and pump rotor 'speed,-tomaintain these parameters at their standard test values with extremelyclose tolerances. As a consequence, the test panel is quite complex,costly, and requires frequent adjustment to maintain it in properoperating condition.

Many other data monitoring or gathering applications employ this samegeneral technique of maintaining constant the control parameters whichaffect the output data being monitored. These other applications arethus subject to the same disadvantages as the described pump testingprocedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present data normalizing method and systemavoid the disadvantages of the described data gathering technique.According tothe invention, the raw numerical output data to be monitoredand each control parameter on which the output data is dependent aremonitored-or sensed, and signals are produced representing the data and,parameter values. Each control parameter signal is converted accordingto the relationship between the respective parameter and the output databeing monitored into a correction factor signal representing the changein the value of the output data corresponding to the deviation, if any,between the monitored and standard or nominal values of the parameter.The several correction factor signals'are combined with the raw outputdata signal representing the monitored value of the output data toobtain a resultant or normalized signal representing the value, i.e.,normalized value, of the output data under standard conditions. As notedearlier, standard conditions are those at which the control parametershave their preselected standard values.

Thepresent data normalizing operation may occur in three different modesreferred to herein as a test mode, a monitoring mode, and an adaptivemode. In the test mode, the normalizing operation provides a readoutrepresenting the normalized data value. In the monitoring mode, theoperation provides a display representing the raw and normalized datavalues or furnishes thesevalues to a computer for further processing orto a data bank for storage. In the adaptive mode, the normalizingoperation provides error signals for regulating the con- 'trolparameters to maintain these parameters at or within a given range abouttheir standard values.

A disclosed application of the invention involves testing automotivesteering pumps of the kind referred to earlier. In this application, thepump flow rate is the raw output data to be monitored and the hydraulicfluid temperature, pump back pressure, and pump rotor speed are thecontrol parameters which affect the low rate. One unique advantage ofthe invention in the latter application is that it permits a pump testto be carried out with the existing test panel without the need for suchprecise regulation of fluid temperature, pump back pressure, and pumprotor speed as is required in the existing test procedure. This, inturn, relaxes the test stand operating parameters and requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS FIG. I diagrammatically illustrates a data normalizingsystem according to the invention for monitoring raw numerical outputdata D representing the measured value of a selected function orparameter which varies according to a known relationship with each of anumber of control functions or parameters P P P and P and normalizingthe monitored value of the output data to determine its value, i.e.,normalized value, under preselected standardconditions at which eachcontrol parameter has a predetermined standard or nominal value. Asmentioned earlier, and will become readily apparent from the ensuingdescription, the present data normalizing system may be utilized tonormalize raw output data from a variety of systems, machines, and thelike. Accordingly, the input data to be normalized and its controlparameters may represent a variety of quantities or functions. In thesteering pump test application referred to earlier, for example, theoutput data represents the monitored or measured flow rate through thepump. The control parameters are hydraulic fluid temperature, pump backpressure, and pump rotor speed.

The data normalizing system includes a means 12D for sensing orreceiving and producing a raw data signal representing the value of theoutput data D, and a means 12? for sensing and producing a signalrepresenting each control parameter P P P and P Connected to the outputof each parameter sensing means 12? is a signal converter 14. Eachsignal converter converts its respective input parameter signal into acorrection factor signal representing the change in the value of the rawoutput data corresponding to the deviation, if any, between themonitored and standard values of the respective control parameter. Inthis regard, it will be recalled that the output data to be monitoredand normalized varies according to a known relationship with eachcontrol parameter. Each converter operates to convert its inputparameter signal to a correction factor signal by effectively comparingthe parameter value represented by the input signal with the standardparameter value, computing the change in the output data correspondingto this difference on the basis of the relationship between the outputdata and parameter, and producing a correction factor signalrepresenting this change.

The raw output data signal from the data sensing means 12D and thecorrection factor signals of the signal converters 14 are fed to anadder 16. This adder algebraically sums these several signals andproduces an output signal representing the value, i.e., normalizedvalue, of the output data under standard conditions at which eachcontrol parameter P P F and P has its standard value. The output signalfrom the adder is referred to herein as a normalized data signal orsimply a normalized signal.

The present data normalizing system may operate merely to provide thenormalized data signal which then can be utilized to actuate a display,recorder or other readout means for providing a readout representing thenormalized value of the output data. This operating mode of the systemis referred to herein as its test mode. The particular data normalizingsystem 10 illustrated isoperable in two other modes referred to asmonitoring and adaptive modes. In the monitoring mode, the systemprovides readouts representing raw and normalized values of the outputdata is the monitored values of the control parameters, and theparameter correction factor values. Signals representing these variousvalues may also be fed to computers for further processing or to a databank for storage. In the adaptive mode, the system provides error orfeedback signals for regulating the control parameters to maintain thelatter at or within a given rangeabout their standard values.

Tothis end, the illustrated data normalizing system has readout means18? for displaying or recording the monitored values of the controlparameters and their respective correction factor values, and readoutmeans 18D for displaying or recording the raw and normalized valves ofthe output data. In this regard, it will be seen that each parameterreadout means 18] has two inputs connected to the input and output,respectively, of the corresponding signal converter. The data readoutmeans MD has two inputs connected to the outputs of the raw data sensor12D and the adder 16, respectively. Each readout means may have separatereadout displays, as shown, actuated by its two inputs, i.e., themonitored parameter and correction factor inputs in the case of theparameter readout means 18? and the raw data and normalized data inputsin the case of the data readout means 18D. Alternatively, each readoutmeans may have a single readout display and a switch for connecting thedisplay to either input of the readout means.

From the description to this point of the data normalizing system lit),it is evident that each parameter readout means 18? receives an inputsignal representing the monitored value of the corresponding controlparameter P P F and P as the case may be, and a signal representing thecorresponding parameter correction factor. The data readout means 18Dreceives a raw data input signal representing the raw or monitored valueof the output data D and a normalized data signal representing thenormalized value of the output data. In the test mode, the normalizeddata value is obtained from the data readout'means 18D. In themonitoring mode, the values of the control parameters and their.

correction factors and the raw and normalized data values are obtained.from the corresponding readout means 18F, 18D.

The illustrated data normalizing system 10 also embodies interface units20 which receive the same input signals as the readout means 18?, 18D,respectively, and feed converted signals to a common output computer 22.This computer may be programmed to operate on their input signals in anydesired manner to provide any selected output information involving theinput data D and its control parameters P P P and P As noted earlier,the illustrated data normalizing system 10 is also operable in anadaptive mode in which the system regulates the control parameters P P Fand P to maintain each at or within a given range about its standard ornominal value. To this end, the data normalizing system has feedbackloops 24 extending between the outputs of the signal converters l4 andmeans 26 for regulating the control parameters P P F and P respectively.Each feedback loop feeds the correction factor signal from itsrespective signal converter to the corresponding parameter regulatingmeans. Each regulating means regulates its respective control parameterin response to the correction factor signal in such a way as to maintainthe control parameter at or within a given range about selected value,i.e., the standard or nominal parameter value. Thus, the correctionfactor signals provide, in effect, error or feedback signals forregulating the control parameters. Preferably, the feedback loopsinclude switches 28 for inactivating the parameter regulating actionwhen desired.

FIGS. Z and 3 illustrate one practical application of the inventioninvolving testing a rotary pump 30, such as an automotive steering pump,to-determine its flow rate (F) under standard test conditions, i.e., ata predetermined hydraulic fluid temperature (T), pump rotorspeed (S),and pump back pressure (P). In this regard, it will be recalled from theearlier discussion that the flow rate through a rotary pump variesaccording to a known relationship with each of the quantities orparameters fluid temperature, pump speed, and back pressure. In thecontext of the present disclosure, then,

flow rate is the raw input data to be monitored and normalized and fluidtemperature, pump speed, and back pressure are control parameters onwhich the input data is dependent. l Pump 30 is driven by a motor 32 andpumps hydraulic fluid from a reservoir 3 though a pump intake conduit 36and returns the fluid to the reservoir through a pump discharge conduit38. Arranged in the discharge conduit 38 as close as possible to thepump are a temperature sensor 49, a pressure sensor 42, and a flow ratesensor 44. Between the pump 30 and its motor 32 is a pump rotor speedsensor 46. Sensors 40, 42, 44, and 46 sense and produce d.c. signalsrepresenting, i.e., proportional to, respectively, the hydraulic fluid,tem perature (T) at the pump outlet, the back pressure (P) on the pump,the flow rate (F) through the pump, and

the pump rotor speed (S). Any suitable type of sensors may be' used. Therotor speed sensor 46 may comprise, for example, a toothed wheel on thepump rotor shaft, a transducer adjacent the wheel which generates anelectrical impulse in response to rotation of each wheel tooth past thetransducer, and means for converting the pulses from the transducer to ad.c. signal proportional to the pulse frequency.

The sensors 40, 452, 44, and 46 form 'part of atest data normalizingsystem 48 for normalizing the raw data or flow rate signal from the flowrate sensor 44. This normalizing system includes signal converters StlT,50F, and 505 which are connected to and receive the temperature,pressure, and rotor speed signals from the temperature, pressure, andspeed sensors 40, 4,2,

and 46, respectively. Connected to the flow rate sensor I 44 is anamplifier 52 for amplifying the flow rate signal from the sensor.

Each of the signal converters 50S, SGT, 5m converts its respectivesensor input signal according to relationship between the correspondingcontrol parameter, i.e., pump rotor speed, fluid temperature, or pumpback pressure, as the case may be, and the output data, i.e., flow rate,into a d.c. correction factor signal representing, i.e., proportionalto, the change'in flow rate corresponding to the deviation, if any,between the monitored or sensed value and selected standard value of therespective control parameter. The relationships between the controlparameters and flow rate are depicted by the small graphs within thesignal converter boxes in FIG. 2 and on larger scale in FIGS. 4 through6.

It will be immediately evident to those versed in the art that a varietyof signal converters 50S, 550T, and 59? may be utilized in the datanormalizing system 4-8 for converting the sensor signal inputs to theconverters to corresponding correction factor signals. in the particularpump test application under discussion, flow rate varies approximatelylinearly with each of the control parameters, temperature, pressure, andspeed over a substantial range of the parameters. In this case, if thecontrol parameters remain within this range, the signal converters maybe signal conditioning amplifiers with offset and scale adjustments 54and 56, as shown in FIG. 3. Each offset adjustment includes a referenceand voltage 58 of opposite sign to the d.c. signal from the respectivecontrol parameter sensor, and a variable resistor 60 for adjusting thereference voltage level at the amplifier input. The scale adjustment 56of each amplifier is a variable resistor. The flow rate sensor amplifier52 produces a d.c. output proportional to the flow rate through the pump30. i

The offset adjustment 54 of each signal converteror signal conditioningamplfiier 50S, SOT, and SM is set to a reference voltage level equal tothe output signal voltage from the respective sensor 40, 42 or 46 whenthe corresponding control parameters, i.e., temperature, pressure orspeed has its preselected standard value. The scale adjustment 56 ofeach signal conditioning amplifier is set to match the slope of thegraph (FIGS. 4 through 6) of the corresponding control parameter, suchthat the output voltage of any one of the amplifiers in response to agiven deviationof the corresponding control parameter equals the changein the output voltage of the flow rate amplifier 52 produced by suchgiven deviation of the corresponding parameter.

It is now evident that when any of the control parameters has itsstandard or nominal value, the corresponding signal conditioningamplifier produces a null output. if any control parameter deviates fromits standard or nominal value, the corresponding amplifier produces ad.c. output whose magnitude represents thechange in flow ratecorresponding to the deviation and whose sign represents the directionof the change, i.e., either an increase or decrease in flow rate.

As noted, the output signals from the signal converters or conditioningamplifiers 50S, SOT, and 50? are correction factor signals. The outputsignal of the flow rate amplifier 52 is a raw data or flow rate signal.

The correction factor signals from the amplifiers 50S, 563T, and 541Wand the raw flow rate signal from the amplifier 52 are fed to an adderor summation amplifier 62. This summation amplifier sums the correctionfactor and raw flowrate signals to produce an output signal which is thenormalized data signal referred to earlier and represents the normalizedvalue of the pump flow rate. This is the pump flow rate under standardconditions at which the control parameters, fluid temperature, pump backpressure, and pump rotor speed have their standard or nominal values.

The normalizing system 48 includes readout means 648, 641T, and tfnllPwhich are connected to the sensors 40, 82, and 4116 to record or displaythe monitored fluid temperature, pump back pressure, and pump rotorspeed. 'Areadout means 66 may be connected, through a two positionswitch 66, to flow rate amplifier 52 or the output of the summationamplifier to display or record either monitored flow rate or normalizedflow rate.

In some pump test applications, it may be desirable or necessary toregulate the control parameters in response to the correction factorsignals from the signal converters or conditioning amplifiers 50S, 5W1,and

5m to maintain the parameters in a given range about their standard ornominal values, such as a range in which they have a generally linearrelationship with flow rate. To this end, the illustrated datanormalizing system 48 has feedback circuits 68S, 68?, and 68T forregulating the pump 'rotor speed, pump back pressure, and hydraulicfluid temperature.

Feedback circuit 688 has a pump motor speed control 70 connected to theoutput of the pump speed signal converter 50$ for controlling motorspeed in response to the pump speed correction factor signal. Any

suitable-speed control may be used. An alternative method of controllingpump speed is to use a synchronous pump motor which is geared to drivethe pump at the proper speed. The pressure feedback circuit 68F includesa back pressure regulator 72 in the pump discharge conduit 38 which isconnected to the output of the pressure signal converter 50? to regulatethe pump back pressure in response to the back pressure correctionfactor signal. The temperature feedback circuit 6ST has a heater 74connected to the output of the temperature signal converter SOT anddisposed in heat transfer relation to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 34for regulating the oil temperature in response to the temperaturecorrection factor signal.

Preferably, the feedback circuits have switches 74 for inactivating thecircuits when desired.

What is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent is:

l. A data normalizing system for normalizing raw numerical output datawhose numerical value varies with each of at least two parametersaccording to a predetermined relationship to obtain normalized datarepresenting the numerical value of the raw output data normalized tostandard conditions at which each parameter has a given nominalnumerical value, comprising:

means for receiving and producing a raw data signal representing thenumerical value of said raw data; means for sensing and producing asignal representingthe numerical value of each parameter; means fortransforming each parameter signal according to the relationship betweenthe respective parameter and said output data into a correction factorsignal representing the change in numerical value of said output datacorresponding to the deviation, if any, of the respective parameter fromits nominal value; and means for combining said raw data and correctionfactor signals to produce a normalized data signal representing saidnormalized output data.

2 A data normalizing system according to claim 1 including:

readout means for displaying the numerical value of at least one of thefollowing: raw output data, normalized output data, parameters, andcorrection factors.

3. A data normalizing system for normalizing raw numerical output datawhose numerical value varies with at least one parameter according to apredetermined relationship to obtain normalized data representing thenumerical value of the raw output data normalized to standard conditionsat which each parameter has a given nominal numerical value, comprising:

means for receiving and producing a raw data signal representing thenumerical value of said raw data; means for sensing and producing asignal representing the numerical value of each parameter; means fortransforming each parameter signal according to the relationship betweenthe respective parameter and said output data into a correction factorsignal representing the change in numerical value of said output datacorresponding to the deviation, if any, of the respective parameter fromits nominal value; I means for combining said raw data and correctionfactor signals to produce a normalized data signal representing saidnormalized output data; and means for regulating at least one parameterin response to the corresponding correction factor signal to maintainthe regulated parameter within a given range about its nominal value.

4. A data normalizing system according to claim 3 wherein:

said last mentioned means comprises means for regulating each parameterin response to the corresponding correction factor signal to maintainthe regulated parameter within a given range about its nominal value.

5. A data normalizing system according to claim 3 including:

readout means for displaying the numerical value of at least one of thefollowing: raw output data, normalized output data, parameters, andcorrection factors.

6. A data normalizing system for normalizing raw output datarepresenting the actual numerical value of a given operating function ofa machine which varies with each of at least two operating parameters ofthe machine according to a predetermined relationship to obtainnormalized data representing the numerical value of the raw datanormalized to standard operating conditions at which each parameter hasa given nominal value, comprising:

means for operating said machine;

means for sensing and producing a signal representing the actualnumerical value of said operating function;

means for sensing and producing a signal representing the numericalvalue of each operating parameter;

means for transforming each parameter signal in accordance with therelationship between the respective parameter and said function to acorrection factor signal representing the change in numerical value ofsaid function corresponding to the deviation, if any, of the respectiveparameter from its nominal value; and

means for combining said function and correction factor signals toproduce a normalized function signal representing said normalized data.

7. A data normalizing system according to claim 6 including:' I

readout means for displaying at least one of the following: actualfunction value, normalized data value, parameter value, and correctionfactor value. Y

8. A data normalizing system for normalizing raw output datarepresenting the actual numerical value of a given operating function ofa machine which varies with at least one operating parameter of themachine according to a predetermined relationship to obtainnormalized'data representing the numerical value of the raw datanormalizedto standard operating conditions at which each parameter has agiven nominal value, comprising: T

means for operating said machine;

means for sensing and producing a signal representing the actualnumerical value of said operating function;

means for sensing and producing a signal representing the numericalvalue of each operating parameter;

means for transforming each parameter signal in accordance with therealtionshipbetween the respective parameter and said function to acorrection factor signal representing the change in numerical value ofsaid function corresonding to the deviation, if any, of the respectiveparameter from its nominal value;

means for combining said function and correction factor'signals toproduce a normalized function signal representing said normalized data;and means for regulating at least one operating parameter in response tothe corresponding correction factor signal to maintain the respectiveparameter value within a given range about its nominal value.

9. A data normalizing system according to claim 8 wherein: A

means for regulating each operating parameter in response to thecorresponding correction factor signal to maintain the respectiveparameter value within a given range about its nominal value.

10. A data normalizing sytem according to claim 8 including:

readout means for displaying at least one of the following: actualfunction value, normalized data value, parameter value, and correctionfactor value.

11. A data normalizing system according to claim 6 wherein:

said machine is a pressure fluid device such as a hydraulic pump;

said operating function is fluid flow rate through the device; and 1said operating parameters are fluid temperature and pressure andoperating speed.

12. A data normalizing system. according to claim 6 wherein:

said machine is a rotary hydraulic pump;

said machine operating means comprises a source of hydraulic fluid to beconnected to the pump intake and a motor for driving the pump rotor;

said machine operating function isfluid flow rate through the pump; andn said machine operating parameters are fluid temperature and pressureand rotor speed.

13'. The method of normalizing raw numerical output data whose numericalvalue varies according to a predetermined relationship with each of atleast two parameters to obtain normalized data representing thenumerical value of the output data normalized to standard conditions atwhich each parameter has a given nominal value, comprising the steps of:

producing a raw data signal representing the numerical value of said rawoutput data;

producing a parameter signal representing the numerical value of eachparameter; transforming each parameter signal according to therelationship between the respective parameter and said output data-intoa correction factor signal representing the change in numerical value ofsaid output data corresponding toithe deviation, if any, of therespective parameter from itsnominal value; v and v I I combining saidraw data and correction factor signals to provide a normalized datasignal representing said normalized output data.

14. The method of normalizing raw numerical output data whose numericalvalue varies according to a predetermined relationship with at least oneparameter to obtain normalized data representing the numerical value ofthe output data normalized to standard conditions at which eachparameter has a given nominal value, comprising the steps of: producinga raw data signal representing the numerical value of said raw outputdata;

producing a parameter signal representing the numerical value of eachparameter; transforming each parameter signal according to therelationship between the respective parameter and said output data intoa correction factor signal representing the change in numerical value ofsaid output data corresponding to the deviation, if any, of therespective parameter from its nominal value;

combining said raw data and correction factor signals to provide anormalized data signal representing said normalized output data; and

regulating at least one parameter in response to the correspondingcorrection factor signal to maintain the respective parameter within agiven range about its nominal value.

15. The method of claim 14. wherein:

said regulating step comprises regulating each parameter in response tothe corresponding correction factor signal to maintain the respectiveparameter within a given, range about its nominal value.

16. The method of claim 13 including the additional step of:

displaying the numerical value of at least one of the following: rawoutput data, normalized data, parameters, and correction factors.

17. The method of claim 14 including the additional steps of: displayingthe numerical value of at least one of the following: raw output data,normalized data, pa

rameters, and correction factors. 18. The method of normalizing rawoutput data representing the actual numerical value of a given operat-'ing function of a machine which varies with at least one operatingparameter of the machine according to a predetermined relationship toobtain normalized data representing the numerical value of the raw datanormalized to standard operating conditions at which each parameter hasa given nominal value, comprising the steps of:

operating said machine; sensing and producinga signal representing theactual numerical value of said operating function; sensing and producinga signal representingthe numerical value of each operating parameter;transforming each parameter signal in accordance with the relationshipbetween the respective parameter and said function to a correctionfactor signal representing the change in numerical value of saidfunction corresponding to the deviation, if any, of the respectiveparameter from its nominal value; and combining said function andcorrection factor signals to produce a normalized function signalrepresenting said normalized data.

1. A data normalizing system for normalizing raw numerical output datawhose numerical value varies with each of At least two parametersaccording to a predetermined relationship to obtain normalized datarepresenting the numerical value of the raw output data normalized tostandard conditions at which each parameter has a given nominalnumerical value, comprising: means for receiving and producing a rawdata signal representing the numerical value of said raw data; means forsensing and producing a signal representing the numerical value of eachparameter; means for transforming each parameter signal according to therelationship between the respective parameter and said output data intoa correction factor signal representing the change in numerical value ofsaid output data corresponding to the deviation, if any, of therespective parameter from its nominal value; and means for combiningsaid raw data and correction factor signals to produce a normalized datasignal representing said normalized output data. CM,2A normalizingsystem according to claim 1 including: readout means for displaying thenumerical value of at least one of the following: raw output data,normalized output data, parameters, and correction factors.
 3. A datanormalizing system for normalizing raw numerical output data whosenumerical value varies with at least one parameter according to apredetermined relationship to obtain normalized data representing thenumerical value of the raw output data normalized to standard conditionsat which each parameter has a given nominal numerical value, comprising:means for receiving and producing a raw data signal representing thenumerical value of said raw data; means for sensing and producing asignal representing the numerical value of each parameter; means fortransforming each parameter signal according to the relationship betweenthe respective parameter and said output data into a correction factorsignal representing the change in numerical value of said output datacorresponding to the deviation, if any, of the respective parameter fromits nominal value; means for combining said raw data and correctionfactor signals to produce a normalized data signal representing saidnormalized output data; and means for regulating at least one parameterin response to the corresponding correction factor signal to maintainthe regulated parameter within a given range about its nominal value. 4.A data normalizing system according to claim 3 wherein: said lastmentioned means comprises means for regulating each parameter inresponse to the corresponding correction factor signal to maintain theregulated parameter within a given range about its nominal value.
 5. Adata normalizing system according to claim 3 including: readout meansfor displaying the numerical value of at least one of the following: rawoutput data, normalized output data, parameters, and correction factors.6. A data normalizing system for normalizing raw output datarepresenting the actual numerical value of a given operating function ofa machine which varies with each of at least two operating parameters ofthe machine according to a predetermined relationship to obtainnormalized data representing the numerical value of the raw datanormalized to standard operating conditions at which each parameter hasa given nominal value, comprising: means for operating said machine;means for sensing and producing a signal representing the actualnumerical value of said operating function; means for sensing andproducing a signal representing the numerical value of each operatingparameter; means for transforming each parameter signal in accordancewith the relationship between the respective parameter and said functionto a correction factor signal representing the change in numerical valueof said function corresponding to the deviation, if any, of therespective parameter from its nominal value; and means for combiningsaid function and correction factor signals to produce a normalizedfunction signaL representing said normalized data.
 7. A data normalizingsystem according to claim 6 including: readout means for displaying atleast one of the following: actual function value, normalized datavalue, parameter value, and correction factor value.
 8. A datanormalizing system for normalizing raw output data representing theactual numerical value of a given operating function of a machine whichvaries with at least one operating parameter of the machine according toa predetermined relationship to obtain normalized data representing thenumerical value of the raw data normalized to standard operatingconditions at which each parameter has a given nominal value,comprising: means for operating said machine; means for sensing andproducing a signal representing the actual numerical value of saidoperating function; means for sensing and producing a signalrepresenting the numerical value of each operating parameter; means fortransforming each parameter signal in accordance with the realtionshipbetween the respective parameter and said function to a correctionfactor signal representing the change in numerical value of saidfunction corresonding to the deviation, if any, of the respectiveparameter from its nominal value; means for combining said function andcorrection factor signals to produce a normalized function signalrepresenting said normalized data; and means for regulating at least oneoperating parameter in response to the corresponding correction factorsignal to maintain the respective parameter value within a given rangeabout its nominal value.
 9. A data normalizing system according to claim8 wherein: means for regulating each operating parameter in response tothe corresponding correction factor signal to maintain the respectiveparameter value within a given range about its nominal value.
 10. A datanormalizing sytem according to claim 8 including: readout means fordisplaying at least one of the following: actual function value,normalized data value, parameter value, and correction factor value. 11.A data normalizing system according to claim 6 wherein: said machine isa pressure fluid device such as a hydraulic pump; said operatingfunction is fluid flow rate through the device; and said operatingparameters are fluid temperature and pressure and operating speed.
 12. Adata normalizing system according to claim 6 wherein: said machine is arotary hydraulic pump; said machine operating means comprises a sourceof hydraulic fluid to be connected to the pump intake and a motor fordriving the pump rotor; said machine operating function is fluid flowrate through the pump; and said machine operating parameters are fluidtemperature and pressure and rotor speed.
 13. The method of normalizingraw numerical output data whose numerical value varies according to apredetermined relationship with each of at least two parameters toobtain normalized data representing the numerical value of the outputdata normalized to standard conditions at which each parameter has agiven nominal value, comprising the steps of: producing a raw datasignal representing the numerical value of said raw output data;producing a parameter signal representing the numerical value of eachparameter; transforming each parameter signal according to therelationship between the respective parameter and said output data intoa correction factor signal representing the change in numerical value ofsaid output data corresponding to the deviation, if any, of therespective parameter from its nominal value; and combining said raw dataand correction factor signals to provide a normalized data signalrepresenting said normalized output data.
 14. The method of normalizingraw numerical output data whose numerical value varies according to apredetermined relationship with at least one parameter to obtainnormalized data representing the numerical value of the outpuT datanormalized to standard conditions at which each parameter has a givennominal value, comprising the steps of: producing a raw data signalrepresenting the numerical value of said raw output data; producing aparameter signal representing the numerical value of each parameter;transforming each parameter signal according to the relationship betweenthe respective parameter and said output data into a correction factorsignal representing the change in numerical value of said output datacorresponding to the deviation, if any, of the respective parameter fromits nominal value; combining said raw data and correction factor signalsto provide a normalized data signal representing said normalized outputdata; and regulating at least one parameter in response to thecorresponding correction factor signal to maintain the respectiveparameter within a given range about its nominal value.
 15. The methodof claim 14 wherein: said regulating step comprises regulating eachparameter in response to the corresponding correction factor signal tomaintain the respective parameter within a given range about its nominalvalue.
 16. The method of claim 13 including the additional step of:displaying the numerical value of at least one of the following: rawoutput data, normalized data, parameters, and correction factors. 17.The method of claim 14 including the additional steps of: displaying thenumerical value of at least one of the following: raw output data,normalized data, parameters, and correction factors.
 18. The method ofnormalizing raw output data representing the actual numerical value of agiven operating function of a machine which varies with at least oneoperating parameter of the machine according to a predeterminedrelationship to obtain normalized data representing the numerical valueof the raw data normalized to standard operating conditions at whicheach parameter has a given nominal value, comprising the steps of:operating said machine; sensing and producing a signal representing theactual numerical value of said operating function; sensing and producinga signal representing the numerical value of each operating parameter;transforming each parameter signal in accordance with the relationshipbetween the respective parameter and said function to a correctionfactor signal representing the change in numerical value of saidfunction corresponding to the deviation, if any, of the respectiveparameter from its nominal value; and combining said function andcorrection factor signals to produce a normalized function signalrepresenting said normalized data.